Daily Current Affairs 24 November 2023, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Read the most important current affairs of 24 November 2023. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on World’s First 3D-Printed Temple, 6-year Ban on Marlon Samuels, Fathima Beevi Passes Away.

Top 21 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 24 November 2023

National News

1.Revolutionizing Geospatial Mapping: Survey of India and Genesys International’s Strategic Partnership

• The Survey of India (SoI), the nation’s premier National Survey and Mapping Organization, has joined forces with Genesys International, a leading Indian mapping company specializing in Geospatial solutions.
• Genesys becomes the first company to establish a public-private agreement with SoI for the creation of a three-dimensional (3D) digital twin-mapping program in India.
• The primary goal of the partnership is to develop digital twins of major cities and towns across India.
• Leveraging SoI’s CORS network, the partnership aims to provide real-time high precision positioning data, contributing to the creation of an accurate and dynamic 3D digital twin of urban landscapes.

International News

2.Dutch election: Far-right’s Wilders aims to be PM after shock win

• Geert Wilders, leader of the Freedom Party (PVV), secured a landmark win in the recent Dutch elections, signaling a growing shift towards far-right ideologies in Europe.
• Wilders, known for his anti-immigration stance and admiration for leaders like Donald Trump and Viktor Orban, is eyeing the position of the Netherlands’ next prime minister.
• Wilders’ victory serves as a warning to mainstream parties across Europe, setting the stage for the upcoming European Parliament elections.

3.UAE Inaugurates World’s Largest Single-Site Solar Power Plant

• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has inaugurated the world’s largest single-site solar power plant, the 2-gigawatt (GW) Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Independent Power Project (IPP).
• The plant, located 35 kilometers from Abu Dhabi city, will generate enough electricity to power almost 200,000 homes and is expected to displace 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The project broke records in terms of cost for utility-scale solar projects.
• Initially, the project led to one of the most competitive tariffs for solar power set at AED 4.97 fils/kWh (USD 1.35 cents/kWh), which upon financial close, was further improved to AED 4.85 fils/kWh (US$ 1.32 cents/kWh).

4.Mysterious pneumonia outbreak in China: Here is what we know so far

• Health officials in China are currently investigating a surge in cases of an unidentified illness, particularly affecting children who are being hospitalized with pneumonia.
• While the situation remains unclear, initial assessments suggest that these outbreaks may be linked to a resurgence of common respiratory pathogens following strict coronavirus lockdowns, rather than the emergence of a new infection.
• Pneumonia is a broad term referring to lung inflammation, typically caused by infections. Common symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, fever, and chest pain.

Defence News

5.Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff, CSIR tie up for R&D in defence tech

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially inked  between the Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), focused on technical collaboration, joint research, and development in the realm of defence technology.
• The MoU establishes an encompassing framework to foster collaborative interactions between CSIR Labs, HQ IDS, and the Indian Armed Forces—comprising the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
• The primary goal is to enhance scientific understanding of defence-related technologies and undertake joint research and development in the domain of dual-use technologies.
• The strategic partnership is expected to expedite the indigenisation efforts of the armed forces, promoting autonomy and self-sufficiency in defence capabilities.

State News

6.Telangana Unveils the World’s First 3D-Printed Temple

• Telangana has unveiled the world’s first 3D-printed temple, a groundbreaking structure situated in Burugupally, Siddipet district.
• This innovative construction, achieved through a three-month 3D printing process, marks a significant technological milestone.
• The temple spans 4,000 square feet and stands at a height of 35.5 feet. It comprises three distinct parts, each dedicated to a different deity.
• The temple was constructed by Hyderabad-based Apsuja Infratech in collaboration with Simpliforge Creations, a 3D printing company.

Economy News

7.India’s October crude oil imports rise after four months of declines

• After a four-month decline, India’s crude oil imports surged in October, rising by 5.9% month-on-month to reach 18.53 million metric tons.
• This rebound follows a one-year low in September, signaling a shift in the country’s energy consumption trends.
• The increase in crude oil imports can be attributed to the rising demand for fuel during the winter season.
• According to Giovanni Staunovo, a UBS analyst, the seasonal uptick in demand towards the year-end played a crucial role in driving the need for increased crude oil imports.

Business News

8.Blue Dart Partners with India Post to Provide Parcel Locker Service at Post Offices

• Blue Dart Express has announced a strategic partnership with India Post to introduce automated Digital Parcel Lockers at selected post offices.
• This innovative collaboration aims to redefine the landscape of efficient and reliable logistics solutions, providing customers with an additional and convenient delivery method.
• These lockers eliminate the need for personal receipts or signing for packages, offering consignees a hassle-free and secure method to retrieve their shipments.
• The lockers keep contents safe and easily accessible, allowing recipients to collect packages at their convenience.

Important Days News

9.Shaheedi Diwas or Martyrdom Day of ‘Guru Tegh Bahadur’

• Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh, the 9^th Guru of the Sikhs, martyrdom day is commemorated on November 24. He was Born on 21^st April 1621, in Amritsar to Mata Nanaki and Guru Hargobind.
• In a face-off between a mughal army in Palahi village near Phagwara, the young Teg demonstrated extraordinary bravery, earning him the name Teg Bahadur, which means ‘brave sword.’
• November 24 is annually observed as a day of remembrance and reflection on the invaluable contribution of Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh to the Sikh faith and the broader tapestry of Indian history.

Schemes News

10.RBI includes PM Vishwakarma under PIDF scheme

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme for an additional two years, now effective until December 31, 2025.
• This initiative aims to stimulate the deployment of payment acceptance infrastructure in various regions. This strategic decision is anticipated to bolster the RBI’s efforts in fostering digital transactions at the grassroots level.
• Based on industry feedback, the PIDF scheme is set to encourage the adoption of emerging modes of payment acceptance. This includes the deployment of technologies such as soundbox devices and Aadhaar-enabled biometric devices.

Summits & Conferences News

11.Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates the 8th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) in New Delhi

• Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, recently inaugurated the 8^th Edition of the Indian Water Impact Summit (IWIS) on 22^nd November 2023 in New Delhi.
• Organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Center for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga), the three-day summit from November 22 to 24, 2023, brought together scientific experts, stakeholders and government representatives to address the dynamic challenges and opportunities in India’s water sector.
• The concurrent India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) and the 1^st CITIS Summit featured technology pitches, an exhibition and innovative solutions in water, energy, waste, food, agriculture and transport.

Ranks & Reports News

12.TCS Claims Top Spot In Customer Satisfaction Among IT And Cloud Services Providers In Spain

• Indian IT giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has achieved remarkable success in Spain, securing the number one position in service delivery quality and commercial competitiveness, according to an independent survey conducted by Whitelane Research.
• The company’s commitment to delivering high-quality services and maintaining a competitive edge has propelled it to the forefront of the Spanish IT market.
• In a significant leap from its 2022 position at number eight, TCS secured the second position in customer satisfaction in Spain this year.
• The company received an impressive overall satisfaction score of 83%, surpassing the industry average of 78%.

Awards News

13.Four Indian Women Shine in BBC 100 Women 2023 List

• The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) recently unveiled its 11th edition of the BBC 100 Women list for 2023, featuring inspiring and influential women from various fields around the world.
• The BBC 100 Women 2023 list not only recognizes the achievements of these four Indian women but also highlights their significant contributions in diverse fields, inspiring others around the globe.
• BBC 100 Women 2023 includes four Indian women viz. Actress Dia Mirza, Cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur, Photographer Arati Kumar­Rao, and Tibetan Buddhist nun Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.

14.Ishwak Singh Won Best Actor Award At Stars Asian International Film Festival

• Ishwak Singh won the Best Actor award at the Stars Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) for his performance in the film ‘Berlin.’
• Produced by Zee Studios and Yippie Ki Yay Motion Pictures, the movie showcases a remarkable ensemble cast that includes Aparshakti Khurana, Rahul Bose, Kabir Bedi, and Anupriya Goenka in significant roles.
• The film “Berlin” has not only gained acclaim for Ishwak Singh’s outstanding portrayal but has also enjoyed successful screenings at several film festivals, such as the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles and Jio MAMI 2023.

Agreements News

15.Commerce Ministry Partners With e-commerce Firms To Boost District-Based Exports

• The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has initiated collaborations with various e-commerce players to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and boost e-commerce exports across the nation.
• As the first step in this endeavor, DGFT has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Amazon India. The primary objective is to link local producers, including those in rural and remote districts, with global supply chains.
• This collaboration aims to facilitate exporters and MSMEs in showcasing their ‘Made in India‘ products to an international audience.
• The collaboration doesn’t stop with Amazon India; DGFT is actively engaging in discussions with other prominent e-commerce platforms, including Flipkart/Walmart, E-bay, Rivexa, Shopclues, Shiprocket, and DHL Express.

Books & Authors News

16.A book Thread By Thread on the life of Shambhu Kumar Kasliwal

• A book, Thread by Thread, on the life of Shambhu Kumar or ‘the’ S Kumar released by Kapil Dev, at The Palace Halls, NSCI, Mumbai.
• The book has been written by noted journalist and author Sathya Saran and published by Penguin Random House.
• Thread By Thread is a personal look into the tale of Shambhu Kumar, who, starting from scratch built one of India’s most successful textile empires.
• The book traces his growth from being a trader to an industrialist checking the milestones to reveal the business mantra behind his phenomenal success.

Sports News

17.Anahat Singh Becomes Second Youngest to Win National Squash Championship Title

• 15-year-old Anahat Singh scripted history by becoming the second youngest title winner in the history of Senior National Squash Championships.
• The young prodigy faced off against Tanvi Khanna in the final, where Khanna was unfortunately forced to retire midway through the match due to a knee injury.
• Anahat’s victory marked a historic moment, as she triumphed against her opponent who is 12 years her senior.
• The retirement of Khanna resulted in Anahat securing the title and etching her name in the record books as the second youngest Senior National Squash Champion in 23 years.

18.Marlon Samuels, Former West Indies Player, Receives 6-year Ban

• On November 23, Marlon Samuels, the former West Indies batter, was handed a six-year ban from all forms of cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
• Samuels, who had an illustrious international cricket career playing 71 Tests, 207 ODIs, and 67 T20Is, faced charges related to his participation in the Abu Dhabi T10 league in 2019.
• The Emirates Cricket Board’s anti-corruption code was violated on four counts, leading to charges by the ICC in September 2021.

Science & Technology News

19.OneWeb India Becomes First Firm To Get IN-SPACe Approval For Satellite Broadband

• OneWeb India, a subsidiary of the Bharti Group and part of the Eutelsat Group, has recently obtained approval from India’s space regulator, IN-SPACe, to initiate Eutelsat OneWeb’s commercial satellite broadband services in the country.
• This significant milestone positions OneWeb India as the first organization to receive such authorization, making it the sole satellite broadband services provider to secure all necessary regulatory approvals ahead of its commercial launch.
• In addition to the general approval for commercial services, Eutelsat OneWeb has also secured in-principle approval to establish and operate two gateways in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

Obituaries News

20.India’s first woman Supreme Court judge Justice Fathima Beevi Passes Away

• Justice Fathima Beevi, the first female Supreme Court judge, passes away at the age of 96.
• Born in 1927, Justice Beevi embarked on her legal journey by earning her Bachelor of Law Degree from the prestigious Government Law College.
• She took her first step into the legal realm by enrolling as an advocate on November 14, 1950, setting the stage for a trailblazing career.
• Justice Beevi’s contributions were not only recognized nationally but also globally. She was honored with the Bharat Jyoti Award and the US-India Business Council (USIBC) Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging her exceptional service to the legal fraternity.

Miscellaneous News

21.Bengaluru Set To Host Namma Kambala On November 25 and 26

• Kambala, the popular buffalo racing contest native to the coastal Karnataka region, is all set to captivate the urban landscape of Bengaluru this weekend.
• The traditional folk sport, usually held in the aftermath of the southwest monsoon, will unfold its excitement at the iconic Palace Grounds on November 25 and 26.
• Organized by Tulukoota Bengaluru, this marks the first time Kambala has found a venue in the heart of Bengaluru.
• Kambala is a sport where buffaloes are driven through a slushy paddy field by a whip-wielding farmer.

24 NOVEMBER 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR

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